The Wedding Veil by Kristy Woodson Harvey is a fantastic journey into an incredible family. I absolutely loved the mix of historical and contemporary timelines, tied together by a Vanderbilt veil and the Biltmore estate. My first book by Harvey but will definitely not be my last!!

I had really enjoyed The Grace Kelly Dress by Brenda Janowitz which told the story of one wedding dress spanning generations, and when I read the synopsis of The Wedding Veil, it sounded similar enough so I thought I’d try it out. I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy from NetGalley and Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Dual timelines are often used in the fiction I read. The Wedding Veil tells the story of four women, Edith and Cornelia, whose stories are centered from WWI through the Great Depression, and the contemporary stories of Julia and her grandmother, Babs. And I have to be honest; it took me a while to get into the book because the historical timelines are told in third person and the contemporary timelines are in first person narrative. However, I eventually settled in and was able to enjoy the book immensely.

I really couldn’t decide on whose timeline I liked the best, but I can tell you that I liked Julia’s journey the least. I had a hard time wrapping my head around how she totally upended her life for ten years for her ex-fiance’ and only came to her senses after a video of him and another woman dancing a little too closely was sent to her and members of the wedding party quite literally right before she is going to walk down the aisle to marry him. It is true that she was with her ex since they were teenagers so she knew of no other way for a relationship to go, but to put up with the cheating for ten years, to give in to him countless times, to give up on her dreams and run back to him was hard to relate to. Luckily, she gains a backbone, spends some time on her “honeymoon” trying to decide what to do with her life, then puts it into action.

I thought Cornelia’s storyline was interesting. That George Vanderbilt would actually will his estate to his only daughter was quite extraordinary in an age when women weren’t really allowed to inherit property. As was all the work involved to make Biltmore self-sustaining was immense. The setting of Biltmore, an estate that I’ve heard about but haven’t done a deep dive researching, was enlightening. The description of the estate throughout the flashbacks let me imagine how Biltmore and the surrounding village of Asheville, North Carolina, were in the days of WWI and beyond.

That’s one of the reasons I like good historical fiction–it gets me interested enough in a subject that I’ll probably do a deep dive into the Biltmore estate and it’s history. And find out more about Edith and Cornelia’s lives and how much of their story is true. Some of Cornelia’s story defies logic, but is also entirely plausible after all she went through in her young life.

I was so excited to receive of an ARC of Kristy Woodson Harvey's upcoming now! What a great story about love, loss, hope and following your dreams!

This story follows two generations from two different families and is told from the POVs of Edith & Cornelia (past) and Babs & Julia (present) as they discover how the special wedding veil that has been a staple in each of their lives connects them to each other. I enjoyed each POV but my favorites were Babs and Julia. Tbh I would read a whole book of just Julia! I loved her and Connor, I wish we had more time with them together. Babs! Oh Babssss you adorable human, you. She was the absolute best.

This novel is rich in southern history and charm. It seamlessly flows from past to present, and I thoroughly enjoyed that it takes place in North Carolina! I currently live in Charlotte, but have been to Ashville and the Biltmore House many times. I love seeing places I've been show up in the stories I'm reading.

Fans of KWH, romance and historical fiction will surely love this one!

Thank you Gallery Books and Uplit Reads for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is due for publication 3/29 and I definitely recommend it!

This review will be posted to my blogs & Amazon closer to publication day!

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I am a big fan of the author's previous novels and was excited to see her foray into historical fiction. The Wedding Veil is a dual timeline, multiple point of view story, centered around the Vanderbilt women, Edith and Cornelia, and a contemporary woman Julia and her grandmother Babs. They are linked by a wedding veil, as well as the theme of woman striving to find their passion and place. I liked both storylines separately but often didn't feel the connection between the two. However, it is certainly worth reading if you are a fan of the author...if. be prepared for a little something different.

What a fascinating look into the lives of these women, famous and everyday. I appreciated the glimpse into the world of the Vanderbilts, particularly Edith and Cornelia. The multiple perspectives were unique and well-done.

The was a novel featuring the lives of Cornelia and Edith Vanderbilt and the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina with some added romance making it an enjoyable read. This story features the history of a wedding veil that is passed down through the generations. There is a modern day romance also involving this veil which the author ties together seamlessly. Strong women are portrayed in both timelines with a message to live your life to the fullest. Thoroughly researched with well written characterizations. #TheWeddingVeil #KristyWoodsonHarvey #NetGalley

Kristy Woodson Harvey has done it again! The Wedding Veil is a wonderful piece of historical fiction with a dash of romance as well. A must read for any historical fiction aficionado or anyone who is curious about the inner workings of some of the Vanderbilt dynasty.

Told across multiple decades, The Wedding Veil, tells the story of 4 women - present day Julia and her grandmother, Babs and then historical figures Edith and Cordelia Vanderbilt. As each woman must come to terms with the decisions they are making, Woodson Harvey is able to connect all four with a thread of emotion as they each move onto new phases in their lives.

Full of romance, heart break and hard labor, the Biltmore Estate and Village in Asheville, NC plays a vital setting for all four women. This allows the reader to fully understand the responsibilities and visual optics that were thrust on Edith and Cordelia Vanderbilt during their time as one of the richest American family of the early 1900's.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for an advanced copy of this novel. The Wedding Veil will be published on March 29, 2022.

This was such an interesting book and I really enjoyed watching how the veil brought two families together. It was meant to bring good luck but for some it put so much pressure on them.



I really loved learning more about Asheville, North Carolina and the Biltmore house. It was fascinating to read about the VanderBilt family as well.



I enjoyed watching how the family dynamics played out throughout the book as well. It was wonderful to see the special relationship especially between the grandma and the granddaughter. I particularly enjoyed the supporting characters of Babs, Miles and Conner!



Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

As a frequent visitor to the Biltmore House and Gardens, I was excited to see the estate mentioned in a blurb about Kristy Woodson Harvey's upcoming novel, The Wedding Veil. Imagine my thrill to find the history of the family/house to be an integral part of the novel. The Vanderbilt family's past is interwoven with a fictional present-day story to make an interesting and informative read. I love Kristy Woodson Harvey's books and I love all things Biltmore House related, so The Wedding Veil was a win-win for me! Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with an ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Although I have been to the Biltmore House several times, I didn't know anything about Edith and Cornelia Vanderbilt. Now I want to make a return visit!

The Wedding Veil is told from the perspective of the Vanderbilts as they struggled to maintain the huge Biltmore Estate in 1914 and Julia Baxter's struggle to find herself after she called off her marriage at the last minute. Both families are connected by a mysterious wedding veil that supposedly guarantees a happy marriage to the woman who wears it. Julia and her grandmother are convinced their family's wedding veil is actually one that belonged to Edith Vanderbilt. Julia is worried that she has failed to live up to the veil's tradition after she cancels her wedding. All of the women are strong women who learn how to love.

This book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. This is a combination of several romances and historical fiction which all center around a wedding veil. One timeline describes the life of Cornelia Vanderbilt and her mother and their attempts to save the Biltmore Mansion. The other focuses on a young bride and her grandmother in present day. By the novel’s end Harvey has connected the two timelines. The characters were likable and believable. Both storylines held my interest. I couldn’t wait to see what happened next! I highly recommend it. 4.5 stars for me. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

know I am reading fascinating historical fiction while simultaneously searching the internet for more information about the characters. Because I am so caught up in their lives, I need to know more about who they were. This is a story about George Vanderbilt, his wife Edith, and their daughter Cornelia. It is also a story of Julia and her grandmother, Babs. The novel takes place over several generations with the famed Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, an integral part of the plot. The author seamlessly weaves each woman's unique story of self-discovery together, connecting them over generations by a veil. The tale of four different generations of women bound by the tule of a wedding veil is exciting, and I kept reading more to learn how these stories were connected. As the story of these women is told, the wedding veil’s story unfolds. I devoured the book because I wanted to know how the wedding veil connected these women over generations. The story was fascinating, with a unique plot that drew me in from the first page until the surprising conclusion. The characters were f delightful and added another layer to this story—a definite must-read for fans of historical fiction.

The Wedding Veil by Kristy Woodson Harvey is the author’s first historical contemporary novel. Set in two time frames, the contemporary storyline is about a woman and her grandmother, both at a crossroads in their lives and their relationships. Babs and Julia both need to make hard decisions about their path in life and the people they choose to share that ride with.
In the historical storyline, the focus is on real life Edith and Cornelia Vanderbilt, their beloved Biltmore Estate, and how the upkeep of such a sprawling estate means to each of the women. For Edith, the estate was built by her husband and presented to her after her marriage. Edith thrived maintaining the estate, creating relationships with the tenants, farmers, and townspeople. Throwing lavish parties and getting involved in politics, Edith truly loved her life. For Cornelia, Biltmore was her birthright, but she inherited the estate at a time where society was changing it’s views on the rich. How does Cornelia manage to find the balance between her past and her future? The tie that brings all these characters together is a beautiful and elegant wedding veil and the meaning behind it. Kristy’s story had me immediately intrigued by these real life powerhouse women and I found myself looking into both of them and planning a trip to visit Biltmore myself.
If you’ve read Kristy’s contemporary books, I think you will enjoy similar themes of strong female characters, familial relationships, a strong sense of place, a good pace, and beautifully detailed writing. I only hope Kristy continues to explore this genre. Regardless, she’s become one of my go-to writers knowing I will also get a wonderfully rich story and who am I kidding, I’ll read whatever she writes next!

If you wondered what Biltmore life was like , this book gives you a glimpse. Kristy Woodson Harvey has opened a door into that life.
Julia has just left her groom at the altar. Her grandmother, Babs, backs her decision. It was the family wedding veil history that helped her make her decision.
We follow the lives of four women with ties to the veil. I liked seeing the different stories from different eras unfold.
Not your typical Kristy Woodson Harvey book. I love the blend of history and fiction. . Thanks to Kristy, NetGalley, and Gallery books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

A beautiful heirloom wedding veil unites the stories of women from several generations. We start with the Vanderbilts at Biltmore near the turn of the last century, witnessing weddings and heartbreak. The present day brings us the story of Julia, an almost-bride who leaves her cheating husband-to-be at the altar and goes off on what was to have been their honeymoon. This is a wonderful intergenerational story with relatable characters. I look forward to recommending it to readers.

The Wedding Veil
by Kristy Woodson Harvey
Pub Date: March 29, 2022
Gallery
I have been a follower and reader of Kristy Woodson Harvey since the time I joined Friends & Fiction and get to see some of my favorite authors interview and talk about their own books. My son often comes into the room while the show is playing and watches with me. It's a great way to "meet" and "know" authors.
I have read all 9 of Harvey's books and this is my favorite. She writes contemporary Southern fiction with wonderful characters in beautiful locations. This is her first historical/contemporary novel. I have loved every one of her books and she just keeps better. Her new novel had me engrossed from the first page and I didn't want to put it down once I started reading it.

The Wedding Veil is a dual timeline novel that takes place in and near Biltmore House in Asheville North Carolina.
After I read this book, I had to goggle the Vanderbilt family because I knew very little about the history of the family that built Biltmore house. I love a book that teaches me something while I enjoy reading it. It's time to pack my bags and make a trip to Biltmore House -
This is a book that you don't want to miss. Thanks to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the ARC. 5 stars

While her earlier novels are solid fiction about Southern women, her latest, The Wedding Veil, leaves behind the Hallmark-type stories as this historical fiction offering is Kristy Woodson Harvey’s masterpiece. Blending a modern-day romance with the story of heiress Cornelia Vanderbilt’s wedding veil, Harvey’s well-researched tome includes biographical detail about the Dresser and Vanderbilt families as well as the history of the Biltmore, the largest home in America.

This North Carolina writer has blended the story of the wedding veil over two distinct timelines encompassing the early 1900s and present day starting with the ill-fated wedding of Julia Baxter who learns at the bridesmaid’s breakfast at the Biltmore that her intended has been unfaithful. In contrast, Edith Vanderbilt’s story begins with the death of her husband and the huge responsibility of keeping the Biltmore estate financially healthy in 1914 as she prepares to pass it on to her daughter Cornelia on her 25th birthday.

The chapters alternate between different points of view as well as different years as both Julia and Cornelia sort out their feelings about love and their roles in life. The stories become linked with the beautiful veil that Edith’s family had passed down from one Dresser female to another as well as to Cornelia Vanderbilt herself.

Kristy Woodson Harvey lives with her family in Beaufort, NC. She writes standalone novels as well as the Peachtree Bluff series, now being adapted into a one-hour drama for NBC.

My review will be posted on Goodreads starting January 25, 2022.

I would like to thank Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for an objective review.

Oh my gosh! I couldn’t have loved this book more. It was just the right touch of nostalgia and present day. The history was so well done and the modern day problems just right. A winner!

Four very different women connected by a wedding veil. Julia is getting married at the Biltmore and is set to wear the family wedding veil. The veil was given to her great-grandmother by a mystery woman on the train and was the 'sign' for her to accept a wedding proposal. The veil is a symbol of a happy marriage. On the day before her wedding she learns something about her fiancé and must make a decision about the wedding. Across time Edith and Cornelia Vanderbilt's stories of love and marriage are interwoven with the story of Julia and the women in her family. Can the women have love and marriage and be true to themselves? What is the role of the wedding veil?

This book is available March 29, 2022.
A novel full of nostalgia and the mystery behind a wedding veil. This book made my heart feel almost every emotion. Told in different timelines, KWH weaves modern day and the past, to uncover the mystery of a legendary wedding veil, tying several generations of women. I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship between Julia and Babs, her grandmother.
Mix in romance, the Biltmore House and a mystery, I am in. Present day Julia is at her bridal luncheon, when she and the others at the luncheon, including her friends and relatives, receive a video that could change the course of the day and most likely the wedding.
In 1898 when George Vanderbilt marries Edith Dresser, she wears a wedding veil which is the theme behind the story, which involves many generations. Their daughter, Cornelia is going to wear the veil on her wedding day. The Biltmore is also an integral part of the story. I have been to Biltmore and KWH nails the description brilliantly.
I enjoyed the unique theme, relationships, compassion, realistic situations, and the characters so much.

Thank you Netgalley, Kristy Woodson Harvey and Gallery books for this advanced copy!